Hospitalized latency age children must confront their feelings surrounding illness, treatment, and hospitalization; and care must be taken so that normal developmental stages are minimally disrupted. Roadblocks to psychosocial growth may occur in the development of mastery, body image, cognitive understanding and family relationships. Often the child cannot actively master his or her world because of physical restrictions imposed during illness. The development of a positive body image is often upset because of activation of negative fantasies. The latency period appears to be a critical time for children to cognitively understand their illnesses and the intervention of the medical staff during hospitalization. The relation between the child and family also appears to follow a particular developmental sequence. Some potential benefits of hospitalization are discussed. There are several concrete guidelines suggested which can be applied to aid the developmental processes of the hospitalized latency age child. (Author/RH)